Dental Dispensing Tip With Intermediate Cannula for High-Viscosity Solutions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental dispensing tips are ineffective in delivering high-viscosity liquid dental solutions due to high capillary action, which introduces bubbles and fails to adequately spread the solution, limiting their application efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A dental dispensing tip with a brush applicator and a delivery cannula that extends into the bristles at an intermediate location, allowing for efficient delivery of high-viscosity solutions by bypassing the densely packed tufted end, enabling better distribution and application of dental solutions like fluoride varnishes and composites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional brush applicators with densely packed bristles are used to deliver high-viscosity dental solutions, then the brush structure provides adequate mechanical strength and shape retention, but the high capillary action introduces bubbles and fails to adequately spread the solution
Solution Approach 1:
A delivery cannula is introduced as an intermediary component between the solution reservoir and the brush applicator. The cannula delivers the high-viscosity dental solution directly to an intermediate location on the brush applicator where the bristles are less dense, bypassing the densely packed tufted end that causes excessive capillary action and bubble formation. This mediator enables effective solution delivery without the harmful effects of direct brush contact with high-viscosity materials.
2Productivity
If the delivery cannula extends to the distal end of the brush applicator, then the solution can be delivered directly to the application point, but the densely packed tufted end creates excessive capillary action and bubble formation
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery cannula is configured to extend only to an intermediate location on the brush applicator rather than the full distal end. This creates a local delivery zone where the bristles are less dense and more amenable to solution introduction. The local quality change in bristle density at the intermediate location reduces capillary action and prevents bubble formation while still enabling effective solution delivery to the application point.
3Area of stationary object
If flocked brush applicators are used to deliver high-viscosity dental solutions, then the brush provides adequate coverage area, but the flocking method introduces bubbles as the solution is expressed through the bristles
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery cannula serves as a mediator that bypasses the problematic flocking structure. By delivering the solution to an intermediate location where the bristles are less dense rather than forcing the solution through the densely packed flocked bristles, the system maintains the adequate coverage area provided by the full brush while eliminating the bubble introduction caused by the flocking method.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If other manufacturing methods are used for brush applicators, then bubble introduction is reduced, but an adequate amount of brush bristles is not available to spread the dental solution
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery cannula enables the use of a full-density brush applicator with adequate bristle quantity for effective solution spreading. By introducing the solution at an intermediate location through the cannula rather than relying on the brush to draw solution from a reservoir, the system maintains adequate bristle quantity for coverage while avoiding the bubble introduction that would occur with conventional reservoir-brush configurations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively dispenses high-viscosity dental solutions, reducing bubble introduction and ensuring adequate coverage, thereby saving application time and improving the efficiency of dental procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Current dental dispensing tips are unable to adequately dispense high-viscosity liquid dental solutions due to the resulting high capillary action of the dental solutions. More specifically, the bristles of conventional brush applicators are usually formed through known flocking methods, such as electrostatic flocking or gravity flocking. Flocked brush applicators, however, tend to introduce bubbles into high-viscosity dental solutions as the dental solution is expressed through the bristles.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed are dental dispensing tips used to deliver dental solutions to a tooth surface. One dental dispensing tip includes a body having a first end, a second end, and a fluid passageway extending from the first end toward the second end, the fluid passageway being configured to receive a dental solution therein, a brush cup provided at the second end and having a brush barrel defined therein, a brush applicator configured to be secured within the brush barrel and including a plurality of bristles, wherein a portion of the plurality of bristles extends out of the brush barrel, and a delivery cannula arranged to provide fluid communication between the fluid passageway and the brush applicator and being configured to deliver the dental solution to the plurality of bristles.